Lieutenant Brandon Vande Hei has moved up through the ranks during his 13-year career with the Oneida Nation Police Department from dispatcher to lieutenant. Lt. Vande Hei currently leads a task force for the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Native American Drug and Gang Initiative (NADGI). In the position of NADGI team leader, Lt. Vande Hei coordinated the nine tribal law enforcement agencies in the state of Wisconsin and acted as a liaison to the DCI for crime abatement related to gangs, drugs, and firearms within tribal communities.  

Lt. Vande Hei has also led his agency’s development of an in-house, holistic wellness program based on best practices in law enforcement wellness and traditional Oneida cultural values. The program partners with a team of three licensed psychologists, is steered by an advisory group composed of agency employees, and works with a traditional Oneida Faith Keeper to develop training, interventions, programming, and resources for employee wellness. Through his leadership in this initiative, Lt. Vande Hei acts, in the most traditional sense, as a warrior for the people. 

Lt. Vande Hei was born and raised on the Onieda Reservation, a location he would later patrol. Growing up, he had a first-hand look at several of the issues and challenges facing the Oneida community. This experience, combined with his passion for his community and people, led to his choosing a career in law enforcement. 

“I believe healthy officers, both physically and mentally, are key to a healthy department and community.”